Lurgan players who won their seventh SFC medal.

Lurgan ladies seal four-in-a-row

Lurgan 3-14
Crosserlough 1-10


Paul Fitzpatrick
at Sheelin Park

Move over Dublin - there is another four-in-a-row of senior titles, this time in Cavan.

Lurgan ladies clinched their own four-in-a-row in the Ladies SFC with a powerful performance in yesterday’s final against a youthful Crosserlough side in Sheelin Park, Ballymachugh.

Early on, there was nothing between the sides with Crosserlough leading through a Hannah Boylan point and another from Sinead McKenna but a physically stronger, more clinical Lurgan turned the screw and  began to exert their dominance.

Two Claragh O’Reilly frees and a coolly finished goal from Clara Lynch – created after a Roisin Greenless turnover and some slick handpassing - helped them into a 1-2 to 0-2 lead after nine minutes.

And it was a lead they would never relinquish, with Aoife Brady adding another point and Niamh Daly their fifth.

Claragh O’Reilly bagged a goal in the 21st minute and when a long-range Laura Keogan shot bounced and hit the roof of the net, it was 3-5 to 0-4 and the Lough were in trouble.

At half-time, Lurgan led by 3-7 to 0-7 but a penalty from Lauren McVeety, who finished with a tally of 1-4, helped bring a young Crosserlough side, for whom Neasa Byrd and Shauna Lynch worked hard, closer in the second half.

However Lurgan were not to be denied and a late flurry of points from Daly and O’Reilly (two) and Clara Lynch saw them retain the Michelle Keating Cup in fine style.

See this week’s print issue for full report and reaction.